Subtle Lighting with Levels
If you enjoyed the Boom Vignette, you may enjoy the following (equally subtle) effect, as well. Just like the Boom, this effect draws attention to your subject with light. Indeed, the effect is a great way to simulate a soft directional light, making the subject stand out from the background. Best of all, the technique utilizes Levels, giving you a lot of control over how much (or little) to apply to your image.
To create the effect, follow these steps:
- Open an image in Photoshop Elements and press D to set the foreground and background colors to their defaults (of white for the foreground and black for the background).
NOTE: For the example, I’ve chosen a black-and-white image, but this effect works well with color photographs, too.
- Select Layer>New Adjustment Layer>Levels and press OK.
- Click on the layer mask of the adjustment layer. Then, select the Gradient tool (G).
- From the Gradient picker, choose the Background to Foreground gradient. In addition, select the Radial Gradient
- Next, check the tool bar to ensure that the Mode is Normal, the Opacity is 100%, Reverse is not selected, and that both Dither and Transparency are selected.
- Next, click in the center of your subject — the point from which the light should radiate outward — and hold the mouse button while dragging the gradient out to a point that extends somewhat beyond the subject. Then, let go.
- Adjust the middle slider (the gamma/mid-tone slider) within the Levels panel to a value between 1.00 and 1.40 (avoid going higher, though, to keep from losing detail in the mid-tones).
NOTE: For Photoshop 8, double-click the adjustment layer to open it up and adjust the slider.
- To check the adjustment, click the visibility of the layer (e.g., the eye icon) to toggle the layer between visible and hidden. Then, adjust the Levels slider as applicable.
Though subtle, this Levels effect creates the impression of a soft light aimed at your subjects, bringing attention to what matters most.
Related Tags: levels
Kalani
March 3, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Love this effect!!! Thanks for all the great videos and lessons.
Liz
March 3, 2011 at 9:17 pm
Thanks and you’re very welcome Kalani! =)
Alfred
March 4, 2011 at 8:08 am
this sounds great, i shall have to try it. this is the sort of thing I have often wondered about after i have finished adjusting a photo, and was not sure how to achieve the effect i thought should finish it off nicely…thank you, life is GOOD !
Liz
March 4, 2011 at 9:23 am
AWESOME! And, thanks for your comment Alfred! =)
Lee
March 4, 2011 at 11:00 am
I know this doesn’t apply here, but I have a question – is there any way in PSE to adjust the size of a brush (i.e. zoom larger or smaller) “on the fly”(i.e. while holding the mouse button down)? Is there a resource for learning about this? Thanks.
Liz
March 4, 2011 at 3:24 pm
Yes — the “[" bracket keys on the keyboard (usually) do the trick. The open bracket "[" makes the brush smaller, while the close bracket "]” makes them bigger. =)
Liz
March 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Oh, one thing — that’s just the bracket keys (no mouse).
Lee
March 4, 2011 at 11:12 am
BTW, I also appreciate the detailed illustrations you’ve included. Not being a good reader (ADA?), I have found that accompanying diagrams almost always help me to better apprehend what I’m reading. Thanks.
Liz
March 4, 2011 at 3:25 pm
Thanks Lee — always appreciate your comments. =)
James
March 5, 2011 at 2:19 am
This technique is especially useful when photographing people wearing hats, athletes, etc. Sometimes we don’t have the luxury of fill flash but thanks to you and levels, we come away with a good photo anyway!
Liz
March 5, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Good point, James — the hats are always an issue! =)
Hans
March 5, 2011 at 3:16 am
Hi Lizz. This is indeed again a very fine subtle effect. It is good to have this in the toolbox.
Thanks.
Hans
Liz
March 5, 2011 at 8:20 pm
Thanks for your comment, Hans — so glad you found it useful! =)
Mary
March 5, 2011 at 5:17 am
Thanks for the another great tip, Liz! I love using gradients to add wonderful effects to photos, text elements and background papers. But, it’s never occurred to me to use a gradient with an adjustment layer! Very nice!
Thanks again-
-Mary
Liz
March 5, 2011 at 8:21 pm
Thank you Mary (and you’re welcome)! =)